Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: repair insulation layer on old solar HW tank?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Yack
    Posts
    1,303
    Total Downloaded
    0

    repair insulation layer on old solar HW tank?

    The solar HW system is as old as the house so the writing may be on the wall - however it works very well and I would like to get a few more years out of it.
    The tank sits on the roof in the weather.
    It developed a rusty crack in the outer skin several years ago ( before we bought the house) and it is now about 2 feet long and no doubt lets the weather in and reduces its thermal efficiency. It exposes the insulation layer ( fibreglass?) to the sun and rain.
    What might be some options to repair it and keep the weather out?

    Ideas?

    tank.jpg

    hole.jpg

    thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Usually somewhere
    Posts
    2,900
    Total Downloaded
    0
    What is the condition of the water cylinder? Is it made of copper or stainless steel?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Hervey Bay
    Posts
    531
    Total Downloaded
    0
    If it is just the outer sheet metal rusted away I'd use expander foam in a can to make up the insulation you might have lost and shape it to conform with the tank. Prep the sheet metal with sanding and rust converter. Then a couple of layers of fiberglass to seal it all back up again.

    (The Bositk Expanda foam is good for 90 degrees and the Sika Boom foam is good for 80 degrees. Should have enough temperature resistance for a hot water tank).
    04 L322 Vogue V8 - Work truck
    07 Freelander 2 TD4 SE - The wifes
    74 Leyland P76 Targa Florio - Aspen Green
    91 Kawasaki GPZ900R


    Previous LRs = 78IIa series - 81, 93, 95 RRC - D2V8

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Adelaide Hills. South Australia
    Posts
    13,143
    Total Downloaded
    0
    [QUOTE=edddo;3065218]The solar HW system is as old as the house so the writing may be on the wall - however it works very well and I would like to get a few more years out of it.
    The tank sits on the roof in the weather.
    It developed a rusty crack in the outer skin several years ago ( before we bought the house) and it is now about 2 feet long and no doubt lets the weather in and reduces its thermal efficiency. It exposes the insulation layer ( fibreglass?) to the sun and rain.
    What might be some options to repair it and keep the weather out?

    Ideas?

    tank.jpg

    hole.jpg

    thanks


    IMHO that has the appearance of a Tank water leak inside the cladding so it may be that the rest of the Sheet metal cladding is knackered.


    Just a thought while looking at your images. I hope I am wrong.


    Maybe you could drill a small hole in it near the bottom & see if any water drips/pours out. NB. Be careful to use a very short drill bit though. If so it will need more checking as any sign of free water could still be rain that has entered over time.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!